The following persons may be entrusted as defenders:
(1) lawyers;
(2) A person recommended by a people's organization or the unit to which the criminal suspect or defendant belongs;
(3) Guardians, relatives and friends of criminal suspects and defendants.
A person who has been sentenced to punishment according to law or deprived of or restricted personal freedom shall not act as a defender.
A person who has been dismissed from public office or has his lawyer's or notary's practice certificate revoked may not act as a defender, except the guardian or near relative of the criminal suspect or defendant.
If a defense lawyer holds a lawyer's practice certificate, a law firm's certificate, a power of attorney or a letter of legal aid to ask for a meeting with the criminal suspect or defendant in custody, the detention center shall arrange the meeting in time, which shall not exceed 48 hours at the latest.
In criminal cases endangering national security and terrorist activities, defense lawyers should obtain permission from the investigation organ when meeting with the criminal suspect in custody during the investigation. The investigation organ shall notify the detention center of the above situation in advance.
When a defense lawyer meets a criminal suspect or defendant in custody, he can understand the case and provide advice. From the date when the case is transferred for examination and prosecution, the relevant evidence may be verified with the criminal suspect or defendant. Defense lawyers are not monitored when meeting with criminal suspects and defendants.
The provisions of paragraphs 1, 3 and 4 shall apply to the meetings and correspondence between defense lawyers and criminal suspects and defendants who are under surveillance.
Lawyers can defend themselves. Even if you are not a lawyer, a criminal suspect or a defendant in a civil lawsuit, you can defend yourself, but it is best to have a professional lawyer present to defend yourself on related issues, which is better, conducive to your own sentencing, or more likely to win as a plaintiff.
Legal basis:
Criminal procedure law
Article 33 A criminal suspect or defendant may, in addition to exercising the right of defense, entrust one or two persons as defenders.
Article 38 A defense lawyer may provide legal aid to a criminal suspect during investigation. Acting as an agent for complaints and accusations; Apply for changing compulsory measures; Ask the investigation organ about the crimes and cases suspected by the criminal suspect, and put forward opinions.
Article 39 A defense lawyer may meet and correspond with a criminal suspect or defendant in custody. Other defenders, with the permission of the people's courts and people's procuratorates, may also meet and correspond with criminal suspects and defendants in custody.